Mac and cheese?

[xshelby320]

Anyone have any luck with mac and cheese during the soft food stage.

I'm an intrinsically picky eater and it doesn't seem to have changed with surgery.

I went for my 2 week follow-up the other day and I found it a surprise but my doctor said while on the soft food diet, we aren't worrying about weight loss we are just worrying about getting you eating and healing the stomach. He said once I'm fully healed then we focus on the things I should be eating daily but for now, just worry about consistency.

Mac and cheese is allowed on the soft food diet and I'm just wondering if anyone had any luck eating this during this stage? Mashed potatoes have gone down well, but scrambled eggs (which are also on the list) didn't. I need to be getting more food in!

Anyone have any opinions?

[RehabNurse]

Virtually any soft carbohydrates (e.g. mashed potatoes, pasta, bread, rice) will go down your sleeved stomach easily. That's why they're referred to as 'slider foods' in the world of weight loss surgery. They combine with your saliva and digestive juices to form a starchy slurry that quickly slides through your stomach and into your intestines. So, the mac and cheese will probably go down your stomach without any problems.

But here's the caveat...if you continue to eat these foods, I foresee your weight loss stalling within the coming months. Carbohydrates stimulate insulin production, and insulin drives fat storage. Forewarned is forearmed...

[Kindle]

If it didn't contain protein, I didn't eat it. It wasn't even a matter of calories or weight loss at that stage. My sleeve was so tiny there's no way I could meet protein goals if I wasted any space on non-nutritive food. Since our body needs protein to heal, fluids and protein were strongly emphasized for all stages, starting immediately postop. I did eat mashed potatoes in the pureed stage but I added unflavored protein powder to it. So I guess if you can get in 60-80g protein, 64+ Oz fluids and still fit mac and cheese, go for it....but what's the point of eating empty calories so soon?

[xshelby320]

Thank you both for your replies. At this point my doctor had said that adding these things will slow down the weight loss until the stomach is healed but because I'm not getting enough food in he recommended just attempting to get protein but also calories since I'm only getting about 200-300 a day. I'm really just tying to find things that will go down. Thinking of adding the Mac and cheese and maybe some oatmeal? To the rotation. Thank you both for the advice. I've already been told eating this way after the next few weeks will not work for long term goals. I'm very aware that once I'm fully healed it will be all focus and lean proteins!

[barbaradear1]

I have eaten a few bites of Mac & Cheese, but I find that re fried beans and avocado suit me better. They go down easy and should have some protein. I think mixing the protein powder is a good idea to make sure you are getting your much needed protein. I also add Fiber to my drinks to help with hunger.

[Shirl]

Try Cal & Cheese (Cauliflower and Cheese)

Fresh or frozen organic cauliflower florets (good carb)
Grass fed and organic medium cheddar (or your preferred cheese type - just not velveta or American singles cheese too much fat and little nutrient)
1-2% Milk or low fat coconut milk
Salt and pepper

I steam the florets until soft.

To make a simple cheese sauce, shred cheese, add to warm milk, but don't boil this will break up the milk and cheese. Add salt and pepper. Stir gently until cheese is melted. Add to cauliflower. Gently stir.

You can try this with broccoli or brussel sprouts when you are ready for heavier veggies. I would not recommend broccoli for the first three months. I'm barely tolerating it.

Bon appetit!

[Kindle]

I just reread your post and saw you are only 2 weeks out. That seems awefully early to be on soft foods. I was still on liquids at that point. If you are barely getting 200-300 calories, Sounds like your sleeve isn't quite ready to advance, either. I'd concentrate on getting protein in whatever form you can.....protein shakes, Greek yogurt, refried beans, various broths and pureed soups with added unflavored protein powder, etc. It makes no sense to advance your textures and add in carbs when you can't even meet the basics yet. I know I was drinking 3 protein shakes a day and/or soups either added protein well past 4 weeks. when I did start purees and soft good, I never let that interfere with my protein goals even if that meant delaying my food stages.

[Remsta]

I agree , Mac and cheese sounds like old habits that can only keep you from reaching your goal. Sabotage is the only way I see it.

[Pam G]

If you can tolerate drinking your protein shakes, you should be getting in more calories than that, right? I know I didn't get many calories in for at least a couple of months. I've only gotten up to 1000-1100 cal/day for the last 3 weeks. Before that, it was prob around 750/day.